Skydiver murder: two held

Two people were arrested today in connection with the death of 20-year-old skydiver Stephen Hilder who plunged to his death in July.

The two, who are both in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of murder and have been taken to separate police stations in the Humberside Police area where detectives will interview them.

Mr Hilder plunged to his death at Hibaldstow Airfield in North Lincolnshire on July 4. Humberside Police launched a murder inquiry after they found the cords on his main parachute and reserve had been severed.

A police spokesman said today: "Inquiries are ongoing and Humberside Police are appealing for anyone who knows anything about the incidents surrounding Stephen's death to contact them."

Mr Hilder, from Hereford, was an army officer cadet based at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham, near Swindon, and had been taking part in the National Championships of the British Collegiate Parachute Association when he died. He was a veteran of more than 200 jumps.

Detectives have interviewed hundreds of people since his death, including family, friends, teachers and fellow students at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, and Bristol University.

This month they appealed to all members of the British skydiving community with a two-page letter published in the October edition of SkyDive magazine.

Police have also consulted detectives in the US who dealt with a similar case.

Video footage of Mr Hilder moments before he plunged to his death was shown on the BBC1 Crimewatch UK in July.

The footage included Mr Hilder giving a thumbs-up shortly before jumping from the plane. He was also shown holding on to his two colleagues in free-fall formation, moments before he plunged to his death.